How to Transfer Call History to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Instructions

Transferring the history of calls on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face when changing their device, resetting their settings or switching to a new firmware. Unlike contacts or photos, the call log often goes unaddressed, even though it contains important data such as business partners' numbers, the time of last conversations with loved ones, or the recording of missed calls from delivery services. Without proper backup, this information can be lost forever.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to transfer the history of calls on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — standard-function MIUI to third-party applications and manual methods through ADB. We will pay special attention to the nuances that the manufacturer does not advertise: why cloud backup sometimes does not work, how to circumvent restrictions on data export and what to do if the call history is not restored after transfer. MIUI 12–14 and relevant for 2020–2026 models.

Why do standard methods of transferring call history not work?

Many Xiaomi users are faced with the fact that the history of calls is not automatically transferred even when using official tools, such as Mi Account or Google Drive. MIUI:

• 🔒 Synchronization Limitations: By Default MIUI It only synchronizes contacts and notes, not the call log, and this feature is disabled due to privacy policy (calling data is considered sensitive).
• 📱 Difference in firmware versions: When transferring from MIUI 12 on MIUI 14 The structure of the call database (calllog.db) may change, leading to recovery errors.
• ☁️ Cloud issues: Mi Cloud and Google Drive don’t always properly back up your call history due to conflicts with Android 10 resolutions+.

In addition, after a Factory Reset, the system can create a new call database, ignoring the old backup, especially for devices with Qualcomm chipsets (such as Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO F4), where the data is stored in a secure partition /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts.

⚠️ Note: If you are using duality SIM-The card history for each card is stored separately, and standard backup methods can only store the data for the main card. SIM (slot_1).

Method 1: Backup via Mi Cloud (official method)

The easiest, but not always reliable, way to do this is to use the Mi Cloud service, which is suitable for users who already have sync with their Xiaomi account.

1. Activate backup: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Device Backup. Make sure the Call Log slider is enabled (some versions of MIUI may call this item Call Data).
2. Backup: Click Create Backup and wait until the process is complete. Time depends on the amount of data (usually 2-5 minutes).
3. Restore data on a new device: When you first launch a new Xiaomi smartphone, the system will offer to restore data from the Mi Cloud. Select the right backup and mark the Log of calls.

Important: If your call history doesn’t appear fully after recovery, check if it conflicts with your Google Account. Turn off call sync to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync and re-restore.

Battery charge > 50% | Wi-Fi connection | Free space in Mi Cloud| Google-->

Method 2: Export call history to file (manual method)

If cloud services don’t work, you can export your call history manually through system tools, a method that works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 11 and later, but requires access to the file system.

Instructions:

1. Install a root-access file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db This file contains all call history, contacts and other data.
3. Copy the file to SD-To transfer to another device, place it in the same path (root rights will be required).

Alternative option without root:

• 📲 Use the Call Logs Backup & Restore app (available on Google Play), which creates a backup in.xml or.csv format that can be imported to any device.
• 💾 Save the file to Google Drive or send yourself an email.

⚠️ Note: When manually copying a file contacts2.db There is a risk of damaging the contact database.Be sure to back up your contacts through Settings before surgery. → System system → Backup.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (alternative to Mi Cloud)

Google offers its own solution for backing up call history, but with reservations, which only works on Android 9 and later devices, and not all manufacturers (including Xiaomi) fully support the feature.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. Make sure that call log synchronization is enabled (some versions of MIUI may not have this option).
3. On the new device, log in to the same Google account and wait for the sync to complete.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ On Xiaomi MIUI 12+ Synchronizing your call history via Google is often disabled by default.
• ❌ Only calls from the last 30 days are restored (Google restriction).
• ❌ Data on the duration of conversations are not transferred.

If the Log of calls is not in the synchronization settings, try an alternative path:

1. Install Google Contacts from the Play Market.
2. Open the application menu → Settings → Manage call history.
3. Turn on the option to save call history.

Mi Cloud|Google Account|Manual export|Party of annex|I don't make backups.-->

Method 4: Using ADB for backup (for advanced ones)

For users who are ready to work with the command line, ADB (Android Debug Bridge offers a reliable way to back up your call history, which doesn’t require root rights, but requires access to a full call history. USB-debugging.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times to activate Developer Mode. Then in Settings → Additional → For developers, turn on USB debugging.
2. Connect the device to the PC and confirm trust in the computer.
3. Run commands in the terminal: adb backup -f calllog.ab -noapk com.android.providers.contacts This command will create a calllog.ab file with call history and contacts.
4. Restore data on your new device: adb restore calllog.ab

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Full control over the backup process.
• 📦 All metadata (time, call type) is stored, SIM-map).
• 🔄 It works on all versions. MIUI Android.

⚠️ Note: The calllog.ab file is encrypted with a password that is requested when you create a copy. If you forget it, it will not be possible to restore the data. Use a simple password (for example, 1234) or leave the field blank.

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, update drivers via the Mi Flash Tool or install Universal ADB Driver. Windows may also need to disable driver digital signature verification.

Method 5: Party of application for transferring call history

If the standard methods don't work, third-party utilities come to the rescue, and we tested 5 popular apps and selected the best ones for Xiaomi:

Recommendations for use:

• 📌 For Xiaomi with MIUI 14 is better suited to Call Logs Backup & Restore – it handles duality correctly SIM-map.
• 🔐 If your call history contains sensitive data, use encryption in SMS Backup & Restore.
• ☁️ For automatic backup to the cloud, set up Super Backup & Restore with Google Drive binding.

Example of export through Call Logs Backup & Restore:

1. Install the application and give access to the call history.
2. Click Backup → Select the format (XML is recommended for compatibility).
3. Save the file to your device or to the cloud.
4. On a new smartphone, import the file through Restore.

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The app side is the only reliable way to transfer the history of calls between devices of different brands (for example, from Xiaomi to Samsung).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users encounter common mistakes.

1.Call history is not restored from Mi Cloud

Reason: MIUI version conflict or damaged backup.

Decision:

• 🔄 Try to recover data on another Xiaomi device with the same firmware version.
• 📥 Download backup manually through Mi Cloud in your browser (Devices section) → Backups) and extract the calllog.db file using the archiver.

2.After the transfer, not all calls are displayed

Reason: Limit the number of records in the database (usually 5,000 last calls).

Decision:

• 🗃️ Break the story into pieces (e.g., by year) and import separately.
• 🧹 Clean the call log on the new device before restoring.

3. "Insufficient rights" error when manually copying files

Reason: Starting with Android 11, access to /data/data/ is restricted.

Decision:

• 🔓 Use it. ADB (as described in Method 4 or you will receive root rights.
• 📎 For Xiaomi with unlocked bootloader, you can temporarily get root through Magisk.

Compare the number of entries in the original call history and in the exported file. To do this, open the.xml file in the text editor and count the lines with the tag. <call>.-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions